Nestle Health Science takes stake in Accera

By Alaric DeArment

BROOMFIELD, Colo. — A division of Nestle has bought a stake in a Colorado-based drug maker focused on treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Accera announced that Nestle Health Science would invest in the company to support the development and commercialization of Axona, which it described as a prescription medical food for clinical dietary management of the metabolic processes associated with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Nestle Health Science president and CEO Luis Cantarell will take a seat on Accera's board of directors.

"Nestle Health Science's investment will enable us to make larger clinical trials and help us strengthen our commercial capabilities in the U.S.," Accera president and CEO Holder Kunze said. "It will also provide an opportunity to expand the geographic footprint of Axona longer-term."